Interchangeable Plush Toy And Storage Assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a pillow having a first attachment means, and a storage component having a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly. The first and second attachment means include complementing magnets, hook-and-loop, buttons, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storageassembly. In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a pillow having afirst attachment means, and a storage component having a secondattachment means. In some embodiments, the pillow and storage componentare temporarily joined via the first and second attachment means to formthe interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

The interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly may be enjoyed invarious ways. For example, a user (e.g., a child) can carry the pillowas a handbag or a back pack. The user can also enjoy the pillow bycuddling up with it. When the pillow is not being used, the pillow maybe temporarily attached to the storage component to form, for example,an entire animal for visual enjoyment. The storage component may besituated on a dresser for storage of various accessories. Parents mayalso employ the pillow as a harness for a child.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are includedwithin the scope of the present invention provided that the featuresincluded in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as willbe apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge ofone of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects ofthe present invention are apparent in the following detailed descriptionand claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the interchangeable plush toy andstorage assembly, having a pillow and a storage component.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B show show the various attachment points of thepillow to the storage component. For example, the first attachment meanson the pillow may be attached to the second attachment means 32 on thestorage component, or to the alternative second attachment means 32.1 onthe storage component.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of amonkey head and how it may be attached to a storage component having theshape of a monkey body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storageassembly.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of a bearhead and how it may be attached to a storage component having the shapeof a bear body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storageassembly. FIG. 4B also shows how a headband may be snugly secured aroundthe storage component.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show an exemplary pillow having the shape of a doghead and how it may be attached to a storage component having the shapeof a dog body to form an interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.

FIG. 6A shows a front or back side of a pillow (with phantom facialfeatures shown in broken lines, i.e., the two eyes, nose and two ears).The vertical and horizontal imaginary lines dissect the pillow into fourquadrants.

FIG. 6B shows a strap secured to the pillow via one attachment meansdisposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposed on thesecond quadrant. The pillow may be carried like a hand bag or purse.

FIG. 6C shows a first strap secured to the pillow via one attachmentmeans disposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposedon the third quadrant. Also, FIG. 6C shows a second strap secured to thepillow via one attachment means disposed on the second quadrant and oneattachment means disposed on the fourth quadrant. The pillow may be wornlike a back pack on a user.

FIG. 6D shows a first strap secured to the pillow via one attachmentmeans disposed on the first quadrant and one attachment means disposedon the fourth quadrant. Also, FIG. 6D shows a second strap secured tothe pillow via one attachment means disposed on the second quadrant andone attachment means disposed on the third quadrant. The straps arecrissed cross as to form a harness that may be used on a child. Also, insome embodiments, there may be another attachment means disposed at theintersection between the first and second quadrant, where a leash may beattached.

FIG. 7 shows a storage component having a storage space that can besealed off by a lid.

FIG. 8 shows a storage component having a storage space that is in aform of a drawer.

FIG. 9 shows a storage component having a storage space that comprises aleaflet that is sized to fit a digital recording such as a DVD or CD.FIG. 9 further shows slots atop the storage component, wherein the slotsare sized to fit electronic equipments such as PDAs, cell phones, MP3s,etc.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention features an interchangeable plush toy and storageassembly 10. In some embodiments, the assembly 10 comprises a pillow 20having a first attachment means 22, and a storage component 30 having asecond attachment means 32. In some embodiments, the pillow 20 andstorage component 30 are temporarily joined via the first 22 and second32 attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy and storageassembly 10. The first and second attachment means include complementingmagnets, hook-and-loop, buttons, snaps, clips, and the like.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 comprises a head of a character. Insome embodiments, the character may be that of an animal such as amonkey, bear, dog, etc. In some embodiments, the character may be thatof a popular children personality, such as Dora, Pluto, Mickey Mouse,etc.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 further comprises one or more storagespaces, for example pockets, for storage. In some embodiments, thestorage spaces (e.g., pockets) are covered by a lid (e.g., a removablelid, a partially attached lid). In some embodiments the storage spacecan be sealed via an attachment means, for example a hook-and-loopfastener, a zipper, a snap, a button, a clip, the like, or a combinationthereof. In some embodiments, the lid is part of the pillow 20. In someembodiments, the storage space is in a form of a drawer. In someembodiments, the storage space has one or more leaflets that are sizedto fit and secure digital disk recordings, such as DVDs, CDs, etc.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 comprises a first quadrant 40, asecond quadrant 42, a third quadrant 44 and a fourth quadrant 46. Eachquadrant includes the front surface 26, back surface 28 and side surface29 of the pillow 20. In some embodiments, the front surface 26 comprisesfacial features (e.g., eyes, nose, etc.) of a character; the backsurface 28 is on the opposite side of the front surface, and the sidesurface 29 is at where the front and the back surface meet. An exampleof a front surface 26 of a pillow 20 is shown in FIG. 3A.

As viewed from the back surface 28, the quadrants are formed from afirst imaginary line that divides the pillow into a left half (first andthird quadrant) and a right half (second and fourth quadrant), and asecond imaginary line that divides the pillow into a top half (first andsecond quadrant) and a bottom half (third and fourth quadrant). In someembodiments, the left half has the same volume space as that of theright half. In some embodiments, the top half has the same volume spaceas that of the bottom half. The volume space is the volume inside thepillow 20. In some embodiments, each quadrant has about the same surfacearea when looking from the front 26 or back side 28 of the pillow. Asused herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of a referencenumber.

In some embodiments, the pillow 20 further has one or more strapattachment means 50 disposed in a quadrant. A strap 52 may be secured tothe pillow 20 via one or more of the attachment means 50. The strapattachment means 50 for attaching a strap includes loop-and-clamp,buttons, hook-and-loop, and the like. For example, the attachment meansdisposed on the pillow 20 may be a loop or a D-ring sewn to the pillow,and the complementing attachment means on the strap may be a clipsecured to an end of the strap, wherein the clip can clip onto theD-ring.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to thepillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant40, and another end of the first strap is attached to the pillow viaanother strap attachment means that is disposed in the second quadrant42, wherein the first strap 52 functions as a carrying handle for thepillow. See for example FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the pillow 30 as apocket reaching into the internal of the pillow for the purpose ofstoring various items, such as lipsticks, mirrors, comps, etc. Theopening of the pocket may be disposed at or close to where the strap isattached to the pillow.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to thepillow via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant40, and another end of the first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in the thirdquadrant 54. Further, one end of a second strap 52 is attached to thepillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the secondquadrant 42, and another end of the second strap 54 is attached to thepillow 20 via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in thefourth quadrant 46, wherein the first 52 and second 54 straps functionas back pack style straps. See for example FIG. 6C.

In some embodiments, one end of a first strap 52 is attached to thepillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the first quadrant40, and another end of the first strap 52 is attached to the pillow 20via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the fourthquadrant 46. Further, one end of a second strap 54 is attached to thepillow 20 via a strap attachment means 50 disposed in the secondquadrant 42, and another end of the second strap 54 is attached to thepillow 20 via another strap attachment means 50 that is disposed in thethird quadrant 44, wherein the first and second straps crisscross andfunction as harness straps. See for example FIG. 6D.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the surface of the pillow 30comprises a plush material. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofthe surface of the pillow 30 is smooth.

In some embodiments, the storage component comprises a body of acharacter. In some embodiments, the character may be that of an animalsuch as a monkey, bear, dog, etc. In some embodiments, the character maybe that of a popular children personality, such as Dora, Pluto, MickeyMouse, etc.

In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a constructionof soft foam. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,227,633 to Castillo disclosesa headband storage device having a construction of soft foam. In someembodiments, such headband storage device may be employed as the storagecomponent 30 of the present invention. In some embodiments, the storagecomponent 30 comprises a cross section that is sized to accommodate acommon headband 70 snugly wrapping over it.

The storage component 30 comprises one or more storage spaces 32. Insome embodiments, the storage component comprises a storage space 32that is covered by a lid, wherein the lid forms part of the storagecomponent. See for example FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the storagecomponent 30 comprises a storage space 32 that is in a form of a drawer34 that is inserted into the storage component 30. See for example FIG.8. In some embodiments, the storage component 30 comprises a storagespace 32 having one or more leaflets 36 that are sized to fit and securedigital disk recordings, such as DVDs, CDs, etc. See for example FIG. 9.

In some embodiments, there are multiple attachment means disposed on thestorage component 30 where the first attachment means located on thepillow may be attached to. See for example FIG. 2B. In some embodiments,various appendages may be attached to the storage component. Theseappendages may be in the form of legs, tails and the like. In someembodiments, one or more of the appendages are sized to allow a hairband to snugly fit over, or a jaw clip to clamp on for storage.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the storage componentcomprises a plush material. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofthe storage compartment is shaggy. In some embodiments, at least aportion of the storage component is smooth.

In use, the user can carry the pillow as a handbag or a back pack. Theuser can also enjoy the pillow by cuddling up with it. When the pillowis not being used, the pillow may be temporarily attached to the storagecomponent to form, for example, an entire animal. The storage componentmay be situated on a dresser for storage of various accessories.

The following the disclosures of the following U.S. Patents areincorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No.6,227,633.

Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those describedherein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoingdescription. Such modifications are also intended to fall within thescope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the presentapplication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed thescope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention isonly to be limited by the following claims.

1. An interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly, said assemblycomprising: (a) a pillow having a first attachment means; (b) a storagecomponent having a second attachment means; the pillow and storagecomponent are temporarily joined via the first and second attachmentmeans to form the interchangeable plush toy and storage assembly.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the pillow comprises a head of a character.3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pillow further comprises one ormore pockets for storage.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the pillowcomprises a first quadrant, a second quadrant, a third quadrant and afourth quadrant.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the pillow furtherhas one or more strap attachment means disposed in a quadrant, wherein astrap may be secured to the pillow via one or more of the attachmentmeans.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap isattached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in thefirst quadrant, and another end of the first strap is attached to thepillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the secondquadrant, wherein the first strap functions as a carrying handle for thepillow.
 7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap isattached to the pillow via a strap attachment means disposed in thefirst quadrant, and another end of the first strap is attached to thepillow via another strap attachment means that is disposed in the thirdquadrant, further wherein one end of a second strap is attached to thepillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the second quadrant, andanother end of the second strap is attached to the pillow via anotherstrap attachment means that is disposed in the fourth quadrant, whereinthe first and second straps function as back pack style straps.
 8. Theassembly of claim 5 wherein one end of a first strap is attached to thepillow via a strap attachment means disposed in the first quadrant, andanother end of the first strap is attached to the pillow via anotherstrap attachment means that is disposed in the fourth quadrant, furtherwherein one end of a second strap is attached to the pillow via a strapattachment means disposed in the second quadrant, and another end of thesecond strap is attached to the pillow via another strap attachmentmeans that is disposed in the third quadrant, wherein the first andsecond straps crisscross and function as harness straps.
 9. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises a body of acharacter.
 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage componentcomprises a construction of soft foam.
 11. The assembly of claim 1wherein the storage component comprises one or more storage spaces. 12.The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage component comprises astorage space that is covered by a lid, wherein the lid is a portion ofthe storage component.
 13. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the storagecomponent comprises a storage space that is in a form of a drawer thatis inserted into the storage component.
 14. The assembly of claim 1wherein the storage component comprises a storage space having a leafletthat is sized to fit and secure a digital disk recording therein.
 15. Aninterchangeable plush toy and storage assembly, said a assemblycomprising: (c) a pillow having a first attachment means, the pillowbeing a head of a character; (d) a storage component having a secondattachment means, the storage component being a body of the character;the pillow and storage component are temporarily joined via the firstand second attachment means to form the interchangeable plush toy andstorage assembly.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the firstattachment means on the pillow is disposed on the opposite side of thepillow that shows facial features of the character.
 17. The assembly ofclaim 15 wherein the second attachment means on the storage component isdisposed on the neck portion of the storage component.